WATCH: Terrified mum asks gunmen if her family is under threat after attack

By Leona O'Neill and David Hunter

A Derry - Londonderry mother of five whose house was targeted by gunmen this week has pleaded with those behind the attack to tell her why she was targeted.

Katie Bowers had to barricade her children into a bedroom to keep them safe as a gunman fired a shot into her Shearwater Way home on Sunday night.

At around 10pm three masked men approached the house kicking at the door of the property. It's understood one of the children looked out the window and saw the men before telling his mother. 

When Katie approached the glass a single gunshot was fired through the bedroom window in what the family believe may be a case of mistaken identity. 

On Sunday three masked men came to mother-of-five Katie Bowers Waterside #Derry home, fired a shot through her child’s bedroom window.
She had to barricade her children into a back bedroom to keep them safe from the gunmen.
She is making a plea to those who shot up her house pic.twitter.com/WuBUN9iY0r

— Leona O'Neill (@LeonaONeill1) October 24, 2019

Ms.Bowden has now told QRadio she is traumatised, and has no idea why she and her children were targeted.

The family has moved out of the home they occupied for 13 years in fear of still being under threat. 

"I would ask them if I'm still under threat, and what has me and my five children done wrong.I want to know why if it was mistaken identity [or]  if it wasn't a mistaken identity, because, you know I have to put me and my children's safety first" she said.

"I'm terrified. I am scared to live in my own home. I've been there 13 years [with] no problems. Please come forward and let me and my family know if we are at risk."

She continued "Please tell me if that was meant for me and my family because if it wasn't its our family home and I want to go back. 

"I want to have all my memories and I want to stay there and I want to help mend my children - I want to go home but I can't go home if I'm under threat."

The PSNI say they're investigating a motive for the attack. A detective inspector said "There are no reports of any injuries, however there were five children between the ages of three and eleven in the property at the time and they have been left traumatised by the incident having witnessed the attack. 

“We are working with partner agencies to ensure that these children and the rest of the family in the home at the time, receive what support and assistance they need."